Is IPL Hair Removal Permanent? | British Institute of Lasers (2024)
IPL manufacturers are not allowed by law to claim that hair removal is permanent. Studies have shown that areas of the skin targeted by the IPL procedure experience temporary removal of hair but not total or permanent elimination. IPL only acts on active hair while it is in the Anagen phase of growth.
Hair could be in the shredding or resting phase. Consequently, it is not affected by the IPL treatment. Unlike with stronger laser machines, permanent hair removal cannot be possible with IPL because all the hairs in the targeted area will not be affected by the intense pulsed light beam. Furthermore, white or very blond hair would be difficult if not impossible to be treated as they contain little or no melanin.
The continuous rounds of treatment can only ensure permanent reduction. It means that after a certain period of time, you hair is likely to grow back and you will need to repeat the same process over and over again. However, the frequency with which you undertake the procedures is determined by the type of skin and hair you have. It can also be hormone related thus varying from one individual to the other. This in itself helps you understand that there is no permanent hair removal using IPL because there are a series of treatments that have to be done periodically.
One or two hair follicles may grow back. In rare cases, all your hair may grow back. It all comes down to the nature of your hair and its resilience when it is exposed to IPL. Moreover, IPL is not a solution to removing all the hair on you skin. In addition, hair growth may exhibit a stubby appearance.
Any hair that grows back is normally finer and lighter. The most you can get with IPL hair removal is an eighty to ninety percent removal rate but it is not possible to remove all your hair permanently. The advantage of this is that on your next visit to the beauty salon, you can ask for a discount as most of the work is done and there is not much hair left to remove.
IPL is still the most efficient and affordable method of hair removal because it covers a wider area of hair and is thus completed in a relatively short period of time. Treatment is also simple and straightforward and can be undertaken in between a hectic schedule during the course of the day.
Anybody interested in IPL treatments should be prepared to undergo a relatively large number of treatments. If one assumes that only 40% of the hair in the area to be treated is in the Anagen state then you only lose 40% of them in the first treatment. In the second treatment from the 60% remaining hair another 40%, which is 24% of the initial hair will be removed. This gives a total of 64% by the end of the second session. In the third session from the remaining 36% another 40%, meaning 14% will be removed. Hence, the total amount of hair removed by the end of the third session is 78%. This is why you need at least six treatments to remove approximately 95% hair in that area. Mind you that the efficacy of the treatment may not be 100%, as there are other parameters affecting the treatment. The interval between IPL treatments should be long enough to allow for the growth of new Anagan hair, usually six weeks, but it depends on the area.
For a more permanent solution a laser hair removal machine is best, British Lasers’ offer the Nu TriLaze Plus laser machine, which features SuperCool™ technology that quickly cools the tip of the handpiece for maximum comfort. It is great for long-term use as it is very safe, as well as tried and tested by the UK’s leading experts.
Both IPL and laser hair removal aim for the same result: permanent hair reduction. However, the key distinction is the type of light used. Laser hair removal employs a focused beam of light, allowing for precise targeting, which is particularly effective for darker hair on lighter skin.
The hair will grow back over a long period of time – so it's not 100% permanent, but the expensive, long-lasting hair removal treatment offers almost-permanent hair removal after a series of repeat visits.
Patients often ask “Are the results from IPL permanent?” and the answer is “Yes and no.” We are constantly aging, and even despite our best attempts at sun protection, most of us still get incidental sun exposure throughout the year.
Both IPL and lasers are effective in hair removal. IPL often requires more treatments and may not achieve the same final hair reduction as a laser can. Due to this, hair removal using a laser usually produces faster results. IPL is effective in not only hair removal, but also treating rosacea and facial flushing.
Laser technology is simply much more effective, and achieves substantially better results than IPL with most clients achieving optimal results of permanent hair removal of 80% or greater after four to eight treatments. However, IPL machines do have an important place in the treatment of skin.
While IPL can significantly reduce hair growth, it does not guarantee permanent hair removal. Many users notice a significant reduction in hair density and thickness, making regrowth finer and lighter.
Depending on your skin color and hair type, you might need up to 12 weeks of single weekly treatment with IPL to get complete results. You will typically notice more sparse and slower hair growth within the first month with a permanent reduction in hair growth within the three months.
Other reported side effects include edema, bullae, hematoma, crusting, hyper- or hypopigmentation, leukotrichia, scarring, keloid formation, and infection.
For clients looking to combat fine wrinkles and uneven skin texture, IPL can be a game-changer. By stimulating collagen production, IPL treatments help to smooth out fine lines and improve skin texture. After three IPL treatments, many of our clients see a significant improvement in the appearance of their skin.
A full-thickness or third degree burn would be the most severe adverse event that could occur to the skin through misuse, error or malfunction of an IPL or laser.
That might have left you asking yourself, “Can I use IPL for pubic hair?” You sure can, but there are a few important steps to take to ensure you get the best results. Trim existing hair: First, shave, epilate, or wax your intimate area.
Electrolysis can permanently remove unwanted hair. Once your hair is gone, you won't need maintenance treatments. It works on all hair types, including light-colored hairs, which lasers cannot remove.
If shaving, plucking or waxing just aren't cutting it when it comes to hair removal, then IPL — aka “intense pulsed light” — is worth considering. The most advanced hair removal method you can use from the comfort of your own home, it works by stopping the hair cycle in its tracks to prevent regrowth.
Simply put, Fraxel may be more efficient for removing wrinkles and dark spots, while IPL may be more effective for curing redness. However, your skincare choice is ultimately up to you. It's best to talk to your skin care specialist about the best treatment options for you and your skin type.
BBL is a more precise treatment than IPL, allowing for improved targeting of specific skin issues with greater accuracy. It also can reduce wrinkles and stimulate collagen production, resulting in smoother, younger-looking skin.
Laser skin resurfacing is best for patients who want to minimize wrinkling, improve the skin's tone and texture, and treat discoloration. The following types of sun damage are best treated with IPL: Pigmentation changes such as age spots, liver spots (solar lentigines), and freckles.
We refer to IPL as a semi-permanent hair removal treatment as although the initial course of treatments will remove all of your hair follicles your body will eventually produce and develop more. We find that clients typically require a 'top-up' treatment once every six to twelve months to keep unwanted hair away!
It is possible, immediately after treatment to pull a hair using tweezers. If it can be removed without pulling on the skin, this is proof of a good result. Also if per-follicular papullae or redness appears around the hair follicle, this also indicated the treatment has been successful.
Using IPL too often can be ineffective and painful. IPL is most effective while your hair is in the growth phase –if you treat your skin multiple times a week, your hair can become dormant and IPL treatment won't work as well. Additionally, while IPL is a gentle treatment, too much of it can be a bad thing.
Hobby: Calligraphy, Rowing, Vacation, Geocaching, Web surfing, Electronics, Electronics
Introduction: My name is Msgr. Benton Quitzon, I am a comfortable, charming, thankful, happy, adventurous, handsome, precious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
We notice you're using an ad blocker
Without advertising income, we can't keep making this site awesome for you.
